If your son or daughter has been arrested and charged with any kind of drug crime in Southern California, help him or her by retaining an experienced juvenile drug crime attorney, NOW. An expert criminal law attorney like Dan E. Chambers can help you and your son or daughter every step of the way, from the arrest to the courtroom. It’s frightening when your child makes bad decisions and it feels like all you can do is watch from the sidelines. But as a parent, the best possible thing you can do is to help them get back on the right track—without a criminal record.
How does juvenile court work?
When a minor under the age of 18 is arrested in California, the district attorney can file a petition to start the proceedings in juvenile court. However, in some situations, the D.A. might ask the judge to allow the minor to be charged as an adult, and the case will proceed through California criminal courts.
Unlike criminal court, a minor does not have the right to a jury trial in juvenile court. The judge will determine if the juvenile is guilty or “delinquent” at a jurisdictional hearing and hand down a sentence at the disposition hearing.
What’s the worst that can happen?
Sentences for juveniles can be just as serious as punishments for adults who commit the same crimes. The difference is that minors may be sent to a correctional facility for juveniles, which is comparable to county jail or state prison.
Other possible sentences besides jail time include probation, drug counseling, or diversion. With diversion, the sentencing is deferred so that if your child completes an educational and counseling program, their record is essentially erased (with some exceptions).
Will my child have a criminal record?
Don’t risk your child’s future just because you want him or her to learn from their mistakes! If your child is handed a criminal sentence, they could suffer the consequences for years to come. Most juvenile crimes will become part of a sealed record, which means that your child will be able to honestly say they don’t have any criminal record. However, there are exceptions to when you must disclose a juvenile record, such as joining the military, becoming a police officer, or applying for a federal security clearance. And for some crimes, the charges are too serious to have sealed.
For the sake of your child’s future, it pays to get a good attorney to fight the charges early on. In an ideal situation, an attorney can convince the prosecutor to drop the charges entirely. But even if the evidence against your son or daughter is strong, an experienced attorney can fight to have the charge changed to a less serious crime, with a less harsh penalty. It might not be the ideal outcome, but it can make a huge difference on down the road.
Do you have more questions about your child’s Southern California drug crime case?
Call Chambers Law Firm today! Top drug crimes defense attorney Dan E. Chambers has over 20 years of experience, including as a prosecuting attorney. He knows how to fight these charges effectively and you can trust him to fight his best on behalf of your child. Call 714-760-4088 or email dchambers@clfca.com to make an appointment right away. Don’t wait to get the support you and your child need!
